tammaiya | Hola!

It's official: I'm going to Spain with my brother in January. And Paris!

It is a little convoluted as to how I got to this point, but to summarise:

1. I was contemplating going to Europe next time I went overseas (not at that point contemplating it to be quite so soon.)

2. My entire family, including non-paranoid members, told me I couldn't afford to travel alone with my medical condition.

3. My brother mentioned he hadn't booked most of his accommodation yet.

4. Upon google search, we determined there was still room on his flights and they weren't much more expensive than when he bought tickets.

5. Some agonising ensued over whether I had enough leave, if I did whether I wanted to use all that leave, and whether I could afford it.

6. Payroll confirmed that I had enough leave.

7. Upon being asked if I could take that leave in january to go to Spain and Paris, boss demanded to know why I was even asking and told me "do it do it do it you should totally go!!"

8. Decided that I really did want to go to Europe and that it'd mean less money to my house-saving fund this year, but on the other hand once I have a mortgage I REALLY won't be able to go. Also decided that while it would be nice to take some leave to just chill, I always end up checking my blackberry and feeling guilty anyway.

9. After being alerted to possible accommodation shortages in San Bartolome by my brother, decided to try calling the B&B that hadn't responded to his email to see if they still existed. They answered! But did not speak English. At all. I do not speak Spanish. At all, pretty much. Thus ensued a hilariously awkward and very expensive phone call. I managed to get across the dates I wanted via speedy googling of Spanish month words and numbers (followed by "Si! Si! Fiesta!!" when they guessed why we were going then - almost all of my Spanish vocabulary right there) and then they found a guy who could speak pretty good English to translate. That was an interesting experience. I think I need to start learning Spanish - I at least had conversational Mandarin in China. :/

In conclusion, flights are booked, some accommodation including in Paris is booked, this thing is totally happening. o/